Elodie Atlan

“Tsarfokait,”

Nice to meet you, My name is Elodie Atlan; in Hebrew some will call me “Tsarfokait,” which is Hebrew slang meaning “French-Moroccan”; it describes a Frenchwoman with roots in North Africa. In my final project, I chose to explore the origins of my family, which is a cross-section of three cultures – French, Moroccan, and Israeli – and is a key component in my identity. A French person with origins in North Africa is not seen as a “real European” but rather as a lesser-value European allegedly. The term “Tsarfokait” is used as a derogatory word, and I encountered it many times in my life. In my collection, “Tsarfokait,” I choose to cancel this hierarchy and to glorify the meeting of cultures by using figures and materials that combine the Moroccan wealth, restraint, and elegance that are familiar to me from France with well-known Israeli chutzpah. Through this I created a new visual spectrum which is used as a mirror reflecting how I, the “Tsarfokait,” see and experience clothing. This combination will be expressed by using rich fabrics such as velvet, silk, gold thread, and the many ornaments that decorate attire as befits Moroccan culture, together with long and elegant patterns alongside other characteristics identified with French-European culture, which forms the meticulous style that is part of who I am. In addition to the variety of fabrics and patterns, I chose to spice the collection with symbols found in North African and Israeli culture and give them a place of respect. For instance, I added the well-known “Chamsa” symbol (lucky talisman that is shaped like a hand), the “Ayin HaRa” pendant (shaped like an eye, used against bad luck), and the “Chai” pendant (Hebrew letters with great Jewish meaning) known to us all. Materials: velvet, silk, synthetic fur, gold thread Techniques: knitting, 3D printing, electro forming, handicrafts